Backflow prevention device



July 28, 1953 D. G. GRISWOLD BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE `Filed 001'.. 5, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 RPMI. k i

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July 28, 1953 D. G. GRlswoLD BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 u Jo a 47 i/1 2@ ze: a

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BACK-'FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE Y Filed oct. 5, 1944 e sheets-sheet s anald nlrwald July 28, 1953 D. G. GRlswoLD 2,646,816

BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 GMW D. G. G RISWOLD BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE July 28, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 July 28, 1953 D. G. GRlswoLD BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE Donald G. Griswold, Alhambra, Calif.

Application October 5, 1944, Serial No. 557,345

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to back-flow protection or prevention units adapted to prevent contamination of public water distribution systems supplying drinking water to dwellings, hotels, factories, Shipyards, public buildings, etc.

During recent years sanitary engineers and health authorities have more fully recognized the importance of protecting public water supply systems against contamination resulting from backfioW or backesiphonage; that is, the pollution of city Water mains by unpotable water as the resuit of cross connections or back-'dow between contaminated water and potable Water sources. Many epidemics of amoebic dysentery and other ailments have been directly traced to polluted water supply systems, thus emphasizing the importance of adequate safeguards.

Previous attempts have been made to provide back-flow prevention devices as is evidenced by the U. S. Letters rPatent granted to Entriken No. 1,960,144; Dore 2,146,204; Lohmann 2,310,586; and Alpert No. 2,328,118.

While previous attention has been given to the problem of backflow prevention, no complete solution was produced and the present invention 'was expressly developed to meet the many diiculties which confronted health oiiicers, sanitary engineers and others concerned with the problem of supplying unpolluted water to consumers.

Accordingly, the'principal object oi the invention is to provide positive back-now prevention means which affords a maximum of safety.

Another object of the invention is to provide back-flow prevention means Which'meets stringent sanitation requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide dependable back-now protection means which will guard against all return flow of water from the consumers pipe system to the water supply mains.

Another object of the invention is to provide a back-iiow prevention device including automatic air-vent means in the form of a vacuum breaker for precluding the establishment of a vacuum condition in the Water supply main tending to cause back-Siphoning of water from the consumers pipe system into the supply main.

Another important object 'oi the invention is to provide a water supply protection unit that will 'serve the dual purpose `oi positively preventing both back-now past a leaky check valve, and also back-siphoning when the pressure in the supply main drops below that in the property main.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ihekliuw prey-,entice ieglilfins .enigmatic pressure-responsive check valves which open gradually and remain fully open whenever the pressure at the inlet side of the check Valves is greater than that at the outlet side, and which check valves also close gradually and quietly against the Water owing therethrough and are positively held closed when the pressure on the outlet side is greater than, or equal to (under static conditions), that on the inlet side.

A further object of the invention is to provide a back-now prevention unit including two automatic check valves arranged in tandem, and an automatically controlled bleeder valve between said check valves that is operated in accordance With the pressure differential on the opposite sides of the check valve nearest the supply side of the unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a back-now prevention unit which is automatically drained when the pressure on the consumers side of the unit becomes greater than that on the supply side of the unit so that all tendency for reverse flow into the water supply main is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a back-flow prevention unit including means for indicating to the engineer in charge that the check valve nearest the consumers property is leaking instead of being closed drip-tight.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- Vide a back-now prevention unit including automatic, hydraulically operated check valves constructed so that they do not induce Water hammer or line shock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel control means for a back-now prevention unit which will effect bleeding of the unit in the event of leakage past the check valve at the property end of the unit and which will also bleed the unitI in the event that a vacuum condition occurs on the supply side of the unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a back-now prevention device that is adapted to be completely assembled at the factory, shipped in toto, and readily installed in a water supply line as an assembled unit.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l. is a front elevational view of a backflow prevention unit embodying two automatic check valves arranged in tandem, an automatic vacuum breaker valve on the supply side of the unit, a bleeder valve between the check valves, and automatic control means for said bleeder 3 valve, all constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the back-now prevention unit shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a View partly in section of one oi the automatic check valves of the back-now prevention unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the `line fil-l of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational View of the bleeder Valve and the control means therefor, as viewed along the line 5-5 of Figure 1, said control means including a pilot valve and a pressure-responsive device for actuating said pilot valve;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5, but taken upon the opposite side of the bleeder valve and control means, as viewed along the line 5 6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View of a portion of the bleeder valve taken on the line l--l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view through the pilot valve and the pressure-responsive ccntrol means therefor;

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the pilot valve taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure l0 is a sectional view taken along the line lll-lil of Figure 9, showing the base member of the pilot valve in elevation;

Figure 11 is a View of the gasket which is interposed between the base member and the housing of the pilot valve;

Figure 12 is a view of the pilot disc seat of the pilot valve;

Figure 13 is a view of the pilot disc;

Figure le is an enlarged sectional View through the pilot disc taken along the line M-lli of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a schematic view of the back-flow prevention unit illustrating the relative positions of the various elements thereof during normal now through the unit;

Figure 16 is a View similar to Figure 15, but illustrating the relative positions that the elements of the unit assume to prevent back-Siphoning of water through the unit when a vacuum condition is created in the line in which the unit is connected; and

Figure 17 is a schematic view of a modified form of back-flow prevention unit including three automatic check valves.

One practical form of back-now prevention unit embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in full lines in Figures 1 and 2, and is generally identified by the numeral I. The letter A indicates a conventional gate or shut-01T valve, the inlet side of which is connected to a supply main X, shown in dot and dash lines. The outlet side of the gate valve A is connected to one end of a pipe section 2 by a series oi bolts 3, a conventional gasket 4 being interposed. between the valve A and the pipe section 2. The opposite end of the pipe section 2 is connected with the inlet of a first automatic check valve B by bolts 5, a suitable gasket i3 being interposed between the valve B and the adjacent end of the pipe section 2. One end of a pipe nipple l (Figs. 2, 5 and 6) is connected with a boss on the pipe section 2 and the opposite end of said nipple is connected with an automatic vacuum breaker valve C. The outlet side oi the vacuum breaker C is connected to one end of a pipe nipple 8 and an elbow is connected to the opposite end of said pipe nipple. The open end of the elbow S communicates with the atmosphere and is preierably left unthreaded so that it cannot receive a pipe plug or be connected with other piping to defeat the proper function of the valve C.

A second pipe section iii has one end thereof connected with the outiet side the check valve B by a series of bolts l l, a suitable gasket l2 being interposed between the valve i3 and the pipe section lll. rEhe opposite end of the pipe section lli is connected with the inlet of a second automatic check valve D, by bolts 5?, a suitable gasket le being interposed between the end or the pipe section Eil and the adjacent side oi the valve D. One end of a pipe nipple i5 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6) is threaded into a boss on one side or the pipe section l0 and the opposite end of said pipe nipple is connected with the in-let of a bleeder or back-now indicator valve E. The outlet side of the bleeder valve E is connected with a pipe nipple Iii and an elbow il, similar to the pipe nipple 8 and elbow E associated with the vacuum breaker valve C.

A control device consistin-fT or" a pressureresponsive device F and a pilot valve G actuated by said pressure-responsive device is conveniently mounted upon the bleeder valve a manner which will be explained in greater lfetali hereinafter. However, it be mentioned at this point that the control device .Z is arranged to automatically effect opening of the bleeder valve E, whenever the pressure in the pipe section Il! exceeds that in the supply main X, or whenever the pressure in the supply rnain X is less than that in the pipe section l0.

The outlet side or the second check valve D is connected with the inlet of a conventional gate or shut-oir valve H by bolts le, a suitable gasket lil being interposed between. the valves D and H. The outlet side or the gate valve H is connected with a service pipe Y (shown in dot and dash lines) on the property or consumers side of the back-now prevention unit l.

The automatic check valves B and D are of the same size and capacity, and preferably embody the detailed construction shown in Figures 3 and 4 in order to assure quiet operation of the unit l. On the other hand, the vacuum breaker valve C and the bleeder valve E may also be of like size and capacity, but preferably are of a smaller size and capacity than the valves B and D, for economic and practical reasons. However, it will be understood that the relative sizes of the valves B, C, D and E may be varied to meet the requirements of any particular installation or sanitary code. As one t" native eX- ample, the valves B and D may be six-inch valves; whereas, the valves C and E may only be two-inch valves.

The valves A and H can be closed to isolate the unit i from the mains X and Y the event that any repairs must be made to any of the remaining elements of said unit.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the automatic check Valve B has been chosen for descriptive purposes, but it will be understood that the valve D is of identically the same construction and that when reference ie hereinafter to parts of the valve D corresponding to the valve B, the same reference numerals will be employed but the exponent d will be added. For convenience, the same plan of identification will be applied in referring to the parts of valves C and E generally corresponding to the parts of the valve B.

The check valve B comprises a body 25, a cover 26, and a diaphragm 2l arranged between said body and cover. A series of studs 28 is mounted in the body 25 and each 4extends through the diaphragm 21 and cover 26 and, receives a nut 29 for securing said body, diaphragm and cover in assembled relation. The body 25 includes an inlet opening or chamber 35 and an outlet opening or chamber 3l separated by partition means 32 provided with an opening 33 establishing communication between said inlet and outlet chambers. A removable seat 34 is threadedly mounted in the opening 33 and is provided with a plurality of radial arms 35 which merge centrally and provide a guide 36 for the lower end of a valve stem 31. The upper end of the valve stem 31 is guided ina bushing 38a (Figure 4) mounted in the cover 26. Valve stem 31 extends through a central opening in the diaphragm 21 and carries a disc-like diaphragm supporting plate 38 which engages a portion of the upper surface of the diaphragm 21 and also carries a lower diaphragm supporting member 39 which engages va portion of the lower side of said diaphragm. The member 39 has an inwardly projecting flange 4o at its lower side provided with an annular recess 4l in which an annular sealing disc-42 is seated. The sealing disc 42 is adapted to engage the upper surface of the seat 34 whenrthe valve is closed to prevent all iiow between the inlet chamber 33 and the outlet chamber 3l.

The valve stem 31 further carries a retainer plate 43 for` maintaining the sealing disc 42 in the recess 4|. The retainer plate 43 is engaged by an enlargement 44 on the valve stem 31 and is clampingly secured against the sealing disc 42 and is maintained in assembled relation with the diaphragm supporting member 33 and the plate 38 by an elastic lock nut 45 which is mounted upon a threaded portion 46 of the valve stem 31.

The cover 26 is dished to provide a chamber 41 above the diaphragm 21 adapted to receive fluid under pressure for effecting downward flexing of the diaphragm 21 to cause the sealing disc 42 to engage with the seat 34 and thus close the valve B.

The check Valve B (and also the check valve D) is constructed so that closing thereof is automatically effected when the pressure in the outlet opening thereof is greater than that in the inlet. In order to accomplish such automatic operation, uid for effecting closing of the valve is conveniently taken from the outlet chamber of the respective valves. Thus, the valve B has a conventional elbow 48 threaded into a tapped opening in the side wall thereof in the Zone of the outlet chamber 3l and one end of a conduit 49 is connected with said elbow, the Opposite end of said conduit'being connected by a conventional tting 55 with a boss 5l formed on the cover 26. The fitting 55 communicates with a passageway 52 leading to the diaphragm pressure chamber 41. One conduit '45 may be sui.. cient for certain installations, but in order to speed up the operation of the valve, two conduits 49 may be employed, as best shown in Figure 2. A test cock 53 (Figs. 1 and 2) communicates with the inlet chamber 3Q ofthe valve B and may be open to determine the presence of uid in said inlet chamber.V

It will be apparent from the foregoing that whenever the pressure in the outlet chamber 3| of the valve B exceeds that in the inlet chamber 30, the outlet pressure will be communicated through the conduits 49 to the d iaphragmpressure chamber 41 to effect downward flexing of e: the diaphragm 21 with consequent downward movement of the valve stem 31 to move the sealing disc 4| into engagement with the seat 34 to cut olf all flow through the valve. The design and construction of the valve B is such that the differential pressure in the inlet and outlet ,openings 3i) and 3l required to open or close the valve does not exceed 1 lb. per square inch so that sensitive valve operation is assured. Even under static iiow conditions, that is, when the pressure in the inlet chamber 35 equals the pressure in the outlet chamber 3l, the Valve B will close because of the uid pressure acting on the area of the diaphragm 21 exposed to the pressure of the uid in the diaphragm chamber 41 and because of the weight of the valve stem 31, member 39, etc., tend to flex said diaphragm toward closed position. The valve B always closes against reverse flow, gradually, and without shock, thereby eliminating all operating noise, hammering and line shock. The closing rate of the valve B can be determined by the number of conduits 49 employed and also by the internal diameter of such conduits in order to admit fluid into the diaphragm chamber 41 at a predetermined desired rate. On the other hand, when the pressure in the inlet 3U exceeds that in the outlet 3l, the valve B will open gradually, and remain fully open so long as the inlet pressure is the greater.

The check valve D has a test cock 53d (Figs. l and 2) communicating with the inlet chamber thereof and also has two conduits 49d connecting the outlet chamber thereof with the diaphragm chamber thereof. However, the manner of connecting the conduit 49d at the front of the valve as viewed in Figure 1 is modified so as to include a pipe-T 55 (Fig. 2) which has one end of the head thereof connected with the outlet chamber of the valve D by a pipe nipple 5S, the stem of the pipe-T being connected by a conventional tting 51 to one end of the conduit 49d. The opposite end of the head of the pipe-T 55 is connected with a test cock 58, which may be opened to reveal the presence of uid in the outlet chamber of the valve D. Of course, it will be understood that a pressure gauge (not shown) may be connected with the test cocks 53, 53d and 58 in order to determine the pressure conditions at these points in the back-flow prevention unit l, if desired.

Referring to Figure 15, the automatic vacuum breaker valve C is here diagrammatically illustrated in cross-section, and it will be noted that, in contrast with the check valves B and D, the vacuum breaker valve C has its diaphragm chamber 41c connected by a conduit 49C with the inlet opening 300 thereof instead of with the outlet opening SIC. Hence, the vacuum breaker valve C will be maintained closed so long as the pressure in the inlet opening 36C exceeds that in the outlet opening SIC; the outlet opening 31C, as previously pointed out, communicates with the atmosphere through the pipe nipple 8 and elbow 9. The vacuum breaker valve C is also extremely sensitive and is designed to open in the event that a vacuum as low as one inch should occur in the supply line X. If such vacuum condition should occur, atmospheric pressure will immediately act upon the under side of the diaphragm 21c to effect opening of the valve and thus vent the supply line X to the atmosphere at a point between the shut-off valve A and the first check valve B. Atmospheric pressure can then readily force the liquid from the diaphragm chamber 47 through the conduit 49 because of the absence or positive pressure in the inlet chamber 30?.

By way of further contrast, the bleeder or back-now indicator valve E is not directly responsive to the pressure in either its inlet chamber 3l!e or its outlet chamber 3 Ie, but is positively controlled in its opening and closing movements by the pressure-responsive device F of the control means Z and the pilot valve G which is acutated by said pressure-responsive device F, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 8, the pressure-responsive device F comprises housing sections 64 and 65. A bracket 65 is secured to a boss 6'! on the housing section 65 by three bolts 68. The bracket t5 in turn is mounted upon the cover e by one of the stud bolts 2te. A flexible diaphragm 'H is clamped at its outer margin between a iiange 'l2 (Fig. 8) of the housing section 64 and a flange 73 of the housing section 65. A plurality of bolts le secures the housing sections lili and $5 and the diaphragm '|l in assembled relation, the two lowermost bolts S3 being of relatively greater length and serving the dual purpose of mounting the pressure-responsive device F on the bracket @f and also securing the housing sections |54 and 55 together.

The internal construction of the pressureresponsive device F is best illustrated in Figure 8 crates with the housing section @il to provide a I.

pressure chamber Si. A backing plate disposed in the chamber 80 at one side o the diaphragm l'i and a backing plate SS is v.isposed in the chamber 8l on the opposite side of diaphragm. A stem Se extends through the backing plate 82, the diaphragm 'il and the backing plate 83 and has an enlargement @E providing a shoulder engaging the outer surface of the backing plate 83. The stem tl has an intermediate threaded portion @t and a nut 3l L threaded on said portion clampingly maintains the backing plates S2 and 83, and the diaphragm '|I in assembled relation. The stem de has a reduced end E8 which is slidably received in a bushing 89 mounted in the inner end oi a passage Si) in the housing section t5. The outer end of the passage 9c is closed by a plug 9|.

The inner surface of the housing section S5 is provided with an annular seat S2 adapted to be engaged by a packing ring S3, which is circular in cross section, received in a groove @il formed in the outer confronting face cf the backing plate $2. The housing section tid is provided with a similar annular seat 95 and the backing plate 83 is provided with a similar packing ring 96 received in a groove Sl. The importance and purpose of the packing rings 93 and 96 will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

One end of a pipe nipple le@ is threaded into a passageway it! in the housing section 55 and communicates with the chamber til at the lower portion thereof. The opposite end of the pipe nipple |09 is connected by a conduit |62 (Fig. 5) with the inlet chamber 30e of the bleeder valve E. Thus, the chamber 8@ of the pressureresponsive device F always communicates with and is subject to variations in pressure corresponding to those which occur in the inlet chamber e.

An elbow tting |03 is threaded into an opening |04 (Fig. 8) in the housing section 54 and communicates with the chamber 8l at the lower portion thereof. One end of a conduit H35 is connected to the elbow |533 and the opposite end of said conduit communicates with the gate valve A, as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, a T-itting |06 is mounted on the gate valve A so as to be in communication with the inlet side thereof. A test cock lill is connected with one end of the T-tting |05 for determining the presence of fluid on the inlet side of the valve A. A shut-off cock |08 is connected with the other side of the T-iitting m6 and a conventional connector iitting @9 connects the conduit |05 with the shut-olf cock it. The test cock Il is normally closed and the cock |98 is normally open so that the inlet side of the gate valve A communicates with the chamber 8| of the pressure-responsive device F through the conduit |05.

The housing section 65 has a vent plug ||0 that may be removed to permit the escape of air from the chamber 86 when the pressure-responsive device F is rst set up for operation. The housing section 64 has a similar plug l|| for venting the chamber 8 l.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description, that the pressure-responsive device F is connected around the valve B and will be actuated in accordance with the pressure dierential existing between the pressure in the inlet chamber 30e of the bleeder valve E and that in the inlet chamber of the gate valve A. Accordingly, the diaphragm will be flexed either toward the leit or toward the right (as viewed in Fig. 8) depending upon whether the chamber Bil or 3| contains the higher pressure. The diaphragm 'l is shown flexed toward the right, which is the normal position of said diaphragm corresponding to the existence of a higher pressure at the inlet side of the gate valve A, than exists at the inlet of the bleeder valve E.

The pilot valve mechanism G (Fig. 8) includes a housing ||5 having a iiange i is at one side thereof for conveniently mounting said mechanism on the housing section G4. To this end the housing section 64 is suitably counterbored as indicated at A gasket HS is interposed between the base of the counterbore il and the adjacent face of the ange le to form a leakproof seal. A plurality of countersunk screws H9 eX- tends through the side wall of the housing section 64 into the ange i6 and rigidly secures the pilot valve housing i I5 to the housing section tl.

The pilot valve housing H5 contains a chamber |2il, closed at one end by a wall portion |2| provided with a bore |22 serving as 4a guide for one end |23 of a rod |24. The chamber |26) is closed at its opposite end by a disc |25 mounted in a threaded recess |2 formed in the flange l I6. The disc |25 has a central opening l2? which serves as a guide for the opposite end portion |23 of the rod |24. The rod portion |28 carries a reduced threaded extension 29 which is received in a threaded opening i3d formed in the enlargement of the stem 84. A spacer |3| is interposed between the rod portion lZt and the enlargement 85. The stem 84 and the rod |24 are thus interconnected by the threaded portion |29 for simultaneous reciprocating movement. The spacer i3! cooperates with the disc |25 to limit the travel of the stem 84 and the rod IZA toward the left, as viewed in Figure 8. Correspondingly, the shoulder provided by the rod portion |28 co- 9 operates' with the disc |25 to limit movement of the rod |24 and stem 84 toward the right, as shown.

The rod |24 is provided with a series of spaced ridges |32 that mesh with the teeth of a pinion |33 disposed in the chamber |20 and mounted upon one end of a pilot drive shaft |34. A removable plug |35 provides access to the chamber |20.

Referring now to Figure 9, the pilot valve housing is further provided with a chamber |36 adapted to receive operating fluid under pressure. A pilot disc |31 is disposed in the pressure chamber |36 and engages a seat member |38 which forms a closure for the open end of the pressure chamber |36. The seat |38 is'secured to the housing ||5 by a plurality of countersunk screws A fluid distribution base |45 is'secured to the pilot valve housing ||5 by a plurality of screws |46, a gasket |41 being interposed between the base member |45 and the pilot valve housing |5 to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

Operating fluid under pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber |36 of the pilot valve through a conduit |48 (Fig. 6) one end of which is connected by a conventional tting |49 With the inlet chamber of the bleeder valve E and the opposite end of which is connected by a conventional fitting |56 with a passage |5| in the base member |45. The passage |5| is aligned with a passage |52 in the gasket |41, and a passage |53 in the housing ||5. The passage |53 discharges into a chamber |54`having athreaded opening |55 in which is mounted a plug |56 having a strainer |51 through which the fluid must pass before it can enter a passage |58 communieating directly with the pressure chamber |36. It will be clear from the foregoing that the pressure chamber |36 contains operating fluid under substantially the same unit pressure as that prevailing in the inlet opening of the bleeder valve E.

The pilot drive shaft |34 extends through .an opening |6| in the pilot valve housing ||5 and projects into the pressure chamber |36. The end of the pilotrdrive shaft |34 adjacent the pilot disc |31 carries a drive washer |62 provided with pins |63 which project into recesses |64 (Fig.

13) provided in one face of the pilot disc |31,

whereby to transmit a drive from the drive washer |62 to the pilot disc |31. A washer |66 disposed at the end of the pressure chamber |36 opposite the seat |38 provides a bearing for one end of the pilot drive shaft |34, and the opposite end of said shaft is journaled in a bore |61 formed in a boss |69 on the housing ||5. Packing material |69 is disposed in the opening |6| and surrounds t-he shaft |34, Vand a gland |10 compresses said packing into sealing engagement with said shaft to prevent leakage of operating ruid from the pressure chamber |36 into the chamber |20 containing the pilot pinion |33 and the rod |24.

The porting of the pilot disc |31 is best illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. It will be observed that a pressure port |15 extends completely through the pilot disc |31 andthat a U-shaped v exhaust port |16 has one leg |11 thereof disposed Von the axis of the disc and its other leg |18 located the same distance from the axis ofthe disc as the port |15, but on a radius at an angle of 60 from said through-port.

The pilot seat |38 is shown in detail in Figure 12 and is provided with an axial port |11a that constantly registers with the axial leg |11 of the exhaust port Y|16 of the pilot disc |31. The seat |38 is furtherprovided with port |19 radially spaced from the port |11"=L the same distance that the through-port |15 is spaced from the axis of the pilot disc |31, so that the pressure port |15 and the leg |18 of the exhaust port |16 can alternately register with the port |19 in the seat 38 in the two operative positions of the pilot disc |31.

The gasket |41 (Fig. 11) has ports |11b and |19b adapted to be aligned with the ports |11EL and |19, respectively, of the seat |38.

The base member |45 has an axial passageway 111C aligned with the ports |11a and |11b. The passage |11c includes a radial portion |80 (Fig. 16) that terminates in an enlarged threaded opening |8i having a conventional elbow fitting |82 mounted therein and to which one end of a drain tube |83 is secured. The opposite end of the drain tube |83 may be open to the atmosphere, as shown, or connected with a suitable 'waste pipe (not shown) as desired.

The base member |45 also has a passageway |19@ (Fig. 10) aligned with the ports |19 and |191 and includes a radial portion |84l which terminates in an enlarged threaded opening |85 in which is mounted a conventional fitting |86 having one end of a conduit |81 connected therewith,

the opposite end of said conduit being connected by conventional iitting |88 (Figs. 6 and '1) with a boss Ele on the cover 26e of the bleeder valve E. Communication between the conduit |81 and the diaphragm chamber 41e is established by a passageway |89 (Fig. 7).

Figure 1 shows the Siphon breaker valve C andthe bleeder valve Ein substantially the same horizontal plane as the check valves B and D. However, in order to facilitate graphic illustration of the mode of operation of the back-flow prevention unit l, the valves Cl and E have been schematically drawn in a plane lying above the valves B and D.

Assuming that the back-now prevention unit shown in Figure l has been properly installed between the water supply main X and the property main Y, and further assuming that the gate valves A and H have been manually opened and that a normal iiow of water is occurring from the main X to the service line Y, the various valves B, C, D and E. will assume the relative positions illustrated in Figure 15, and the control device Z will assume the corresponding position shown in said gure. Thus, the automatic check valves B and D are both wide open for the reason that the pressure in the inlet chambers 38 and 30d thereof is substantially greater than that in their respective outlet chambers 3| and 3|d, whereby the diaphragms 21 and 21d are flexed upwardly to permit free ilow through said valves. During such normal ow, the pressure in the chamber 8| or" the pressure-responsive device F is correspondingiy greater than that in the chamber thereof so that the diaphragm 1| is flexed toward the right and the pilot disc |36 assumes the position diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 15 with the through-port |15 establishing communication between the inlet chamber 38e of the valve E and the diaphragm pressure chamber 41e of said valve to maintain said valve closed drip-tight. Such communication is established through the conduit |48 which supplies operating fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber |36 as aforedescribed, through the port |11c of the pilot disc |31 and thence through seat port |19, gasket port |1911, and port |18c and passage |84 in the base |45 into the conduit |81 leading to the diaphragm Hlllllt i. :breakervalve C. and the bleeder valve El will also pressure chamber die. Simultaneously, the pres- 'sure in the inlet opening 30 of the vacuum breaker valve 'C is Communicated to the diaphragrh cluirnberfiic of said valve and acts upon the diaphragm 21C to maintain said valve closed drip-tight. In other words, during normal flow through the baclllow prevention unit Ik, the check4 valves B and D are Wide open, and the bleede valve E. and the vacuum breaker -valve C are tightly closed.

It is important to 'n'ote that when the diaphragm 'El is `flexed toward the right, the packing ring 93 (Fig. e) engages the seat 92 of the houssection @e to form a tight seal therewith. So long as the pressure in the chamber 8! is in excess of that in the chamber tu, this seal will be maintained. If the diaphragm l! should fail for any reason, such seal Will prevent the passage of fluid from the chamber el into the chamber 8%, so that no iiuid can by-pass the pressure-responsive device F and gain entrance into the pipe section l0. More important, however, is the cooperation of the packing ring @t With the seat 95 to provide a similar tight. seal in the event that the pressure' in the chamber 'tu exceeds that in the chamber Si and the diaphragm l! should fail for any reason. in the latter situation, the seal provided by the packing ring d will prevent by-passing of possibly contaminated water around the check valve B from the pipe section l@ into the main X through the conduits |02 and H35 which are connected.. with the chambers 823. and Si, respectively, of the pressure-responsive device F.

Assuming new that the pressure in the supply main X drops to a value below that oi the pressure inthe service pipe Y, due to sudden demands by other consumers on the supply main X, or for other reasons, the checi: valves B and D will automatically close tightly upon a slight drop in pressure in their inlet openings below that inY their respective outlet openings. The closing of the check valves B and D occurs quickly, although gradually, so that no hammering or line shock results. Normally, both check Valves B and D will rewain closeduntil the pressure conditions are 11 versed and 'no back-flow can occur through the Under these conditions the vacuum be tightly closed.

Il it is assumed that the second check valve D,

"which is nearest to the service pipe Y or the oon- 'sun'iei-s side of the unit i, should leal; for any reason so that thel pressure in the pipe section i@ betweenthe checlrvalves B and D becomes greater than that in the lsupply main X, such pressure will be immediately transmitted through the conduit'i 32 tothe chamber 8@ ci the pressure-respon- 'sive device F to effect flexing of the diaphragm l! rbleeder valve E by establishing communication between the diaphragm chamber Lil@ of said bleeder valve and. the atmosphere, as follows: fluid will drain from the diaphragm chamber 41e through the conduit i8?, passage ist and port 4ll'ic in the base Myport Hab in the gasket Ml, port ille in the seat |38, through the exhaust port VX results HS Vof the pilot disc [3l and thence into port VH@ of the seat E38, port IHb of the gasket l5?, port iij' of the base E45 and thence through passage it@ in said base and through drain conduit i533 to the atmosphere. The valve E thus opens automatically, as shown in Fig. l5, to bleed the water from the pipe section it in the event that the valve D leaks, thereby positively preventing backflow through the unit. The discharge of Water from the Valve E will also indicate that the valve D is not functioning properly and requires Aattention As a further assumption, if the pressure drop in the supply main X is such that a vacuum `condition tends to occur therein, such condition 'cannot be transmitted through the unit i to lcause baclssiphoning. Whenever a vacuum condition tends to occur in the supply main X of the unit i, the vacuum breaker valve 'C will automatically `open fully, as indicated in Fig. l5, Aand vent the 'supply main X to 'the atmosphere. Thus, when the pressure the main X drops even very slight below `atmospheric pressure, such condition 'will be communicated to theY diaphragi i chamber ril@ of the vacuum breaker valve 'C andatmospherio pressure vacting on the under side of the `di'aphragrn 2F 'will eiect. automatic opening of sai-d valves@ that air will be d aw'n into the supply main X. through valve 'to positively break any vacuum created therein. As is Well known., a 'vacuum condition in a water-supply main 'not only tends to cause baclfL-'sipho'ni'n'g oi Water into the. main, but 'is dangerous and highly undesirable because of the fact that'when the Water resumes flow in the main,l it will rush to that portion thereoi` which under 'partial vacuum., and the resulting surge is citen suicient to burst -the main or seriously damage any valves vconnected' in said main. The present unit positivelyT avoids all sueh danger.

Assuming 'that 'a vacuum 4condition has `ocourredin 'the supply'main X'andl'that. the. valve C has automatically 'openedto relieve the 'vacuum condition, as's'oon as. pressure begins. to build up inthe main the air will be displaced and. forced out orA the in through the vacuum brealcer valve-'C Withcu effecting. closing oi said valve-because air ivillflow rthrough the valve without building. up any appreciable pressure, but when the Water begins'to"ilo'w'throughf said. valvlea sub.- stantial 'frietional resistance to oiv is offered so'that a hydraulic pressure developsfinthe. inlet chamber 3s@ 'and' this pressure readily builds up to a pressure in excess of atmospheric,4 Whiclris the. pressure present inthe outlet chamber. all?. The hydraulic. pressure` in` the inlet Sile is-corn muni'cated' vtlfrro'ugh the conduit li. to the. diaphragm pressure chamber le to enect.,.positive closing of" the vacuum breaker valve C. against the pressure of.' the ivater *derving therethrough. It Will'be 'notedfthat injthismanner the andthe valve C are Vfhished-L before-the value C is closed.

The'oreatioh. of a vacuum. condition in the line infajpressure dropA in` the. chamber. #t1-l of the pressure-responsive device F Ysoftheft. the

predoi'nina'ting [pressure in. the chamber nenes the diaphragm lfll'to rd. the left, as. show-n rin ligl,` to eect'op'ening. of the-bleeder valve simultaneously with the opening-v oi the. vacuum breaker Valve. C, asftvill be readily .understood from the foregoingjdescription. Thus, the-uniti 1s so controlledithat the inaiiLX iswnot onlyvented tfo. the-atmosphere t.o,-break any-'vacuum-formed therein, but the pipe section (D is simultaneously 13 drained to eliminate any water that might possibly be back-siphoned through the check valve B into the main X.

After the vacuum breaker valve C has been flushed and closed, as aforedescribed, the pressure in the unit on the inlet side of the check valve B will further build up to the extent that it is greater than that in the outlet chamber 3| of the check valve B, whereupon the check valve B will open to permit iiow from the main X into the pipe section |93. Meanwhile, pressure will build up in the chamber 8| of the pressure-responsive device F sufficiently to ex the diaphragm H to the right and thereby restore the pilot disc to its original position to effect closing of the bleeder valve E, as aforedescribed. However, it will be understood that the operation of the bleeder valve E is such that water will iiow through the pipe section Il) and the valve E to flush them thoroughly before sufficient pressure is built up to eiect closing of the valve E through the operation of the pilot valve G. After the bleeder valve E has been closed, pressure will build up in the inlet chamber 39d of the check valve D until it exceeds the pressure in the outlet chamber Sid, whereupon the check valve B will open and the unit will operate as under normal flow conditions.

The check valve B serves to prevent back-flow in the event that the check valve D leaks, and also serves to prevent back-siphoning in case the pressure in the supply main X drops below that in the service main Y or in the event that a vacuum condition is created in said supply main.

Figure 17 diagrammatically illustrates a modied form of back-dow prevention unit la, which is similar in all respects to the back-ilow prevention unit i already described, with the exception that it includes an additional automatic check valve J interposed between the pipe section 2 and the gate valve A. The object of the third check valve J is to aord safety in the event that both the check Valves D and B leak. rIhe check valve J is the same in structure and operation as the check valve B and the unit la functions the same as the unit I. It will be noted, however, that in the three check valve unit la the valve J will automatically open when a vacuum condition occurs in the main X and permit the vacuum breaker valve C to open and vent said main to the atmosphere. It will be further noted that in the three check valve unit la, the pressure-responsive device F is connected across the check valves J and B.

in certain installations it is desirable to have the bleeder valve E of the back-flow protection units i and le open only when a substantial excess of pressure above that in the main X occurs 4in theV pipe section I0. The pressureresponsive device F aforedescribed is quite sensitive and, Vas has been pointed out, will normally operate on a 1 lb. pressure diierential. In installations where it is desirable to have the bleeder valve C open only in the event that the pressure in the pipe section it exceeds that inthe main X by, say about 5 or 10 lbs., a suitable springs (Fig. 8) is disposed in the chamber 8| between the plate member 83 and the disc |25 so that it normally acts to flex the diaphragm H toward the right and thus supplements whatever pressure may be eiective in the chamber 8| by virtue of the conduit connection |05 with the intake side ofthe gate valve A. Thus, if the spring S isa 5 1b. spring, the bleeder valve E will openrwheneverv the pressure-in the pipe section is lin excess of the combined resistance offered by the spring S and the pressure in the supply main X.

While a certain type of check valve, vacuum breaker valve and bleeder valve have been illustrated herein, it will be understood that changes may be made in the details of construction thereof without departing from the principles of the invention. It will also be understood that certain changes may be made in the details of construction of the automatic control device Z, without altering its principles of operation. Hence, it is contemplated that various changes in construction and arrangement of the various elements of the back-flow prevention units disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims..

I claim: f

1. A back-flow prevention unit having a su ply end and a service end, comprising: means including two automatic check valves arranged in series to normally allow flow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end and disposed adjacent the supply and service ends of said unit, respectively; means between said check valves providing a space for water; a bleeder valve communicating with saidk space for effecting draining of water from said space; a control device actuatable independently of said bleeder valve subject to the differential pressure on the inlet side of the automatic check valve at the supply end of said unit and the space between said check valves arranged to control the opening and closing of said bleeder valve in accordance with variations in said differential pressure; and means on the side of the control device subject to said inlet pressure yieldably opposing actuation of said control device by said differential pressure to delay opening of said bleeder valve until the pressure in said space between said check valves is a given predetermined amount in excess of that in the inlet chamber of. said check valve at the supply end of said unit, whereby to avoid all unnecessary opening of said bleeder valve and the waste of water incident thereto.

2. A back-flow prevention unit having a supply end and a service end, comprising: means including two automatic check valves arranged in series to normally allow flow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end and disposed adjacent the supply and service ends of said unit, respectively; means between said check valves providing a space for uid; a fluid pressure operated bleeder valve commu- Y nicating with said means for eecting draining of said fluid space, said bleeder valve having pressure chamber means for operating uid and, including an element actuatable by operating; uid in said pressure chamber means to move.l said element toward valve closing position to.r control flow through said bleeder Valve, said ele-l ment normally being movable to bleeder valve opening position by the pressure of fluid in said; space in the absence of operating fluid pressure in said chamber means; a pressure-responsive device subject to the differential pressure on the opposite sides of the automatic check valve at the supply end of said unit; a pilot valve actuatable by said pressure-responsive device for controlling the admission of operating fluid into and the exhaust of operating fluid from said pressure chamber means of said bleeder valve; and means yieldably opposing actuation of saidkpilot valve by said pressure-responsive device to delay opening of said bleeder valve until the pressure in said fluid space between said check valves is a given predetermined amount in excess of that in the inlet chamber of said check valve at the supply end oi said unit, `whereby to avoid all unnecessary opening of said .bleeder valve and the waste oi fluid incident thereto.

3. A back-flow prevention unit having .a supply end anda service end, comprising: means including two automatic check valves arranged in series to normally allow iiow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end and disposed adjacent the supply and service ends of said unit, respectively, each check valve having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber and being arranged to close automatically whenever the pressure in the outlet chamber thereof exceeds that in the inlet chamber thereof; means between said check valves providing a space for fluid; a fluid pressure operated bleeder valve communicating with said means for effecting draining of said fluid space, said bleeder valve having pressure chamber means for operating iiuid and including an element actuatable by operating liu'ld in said pressure chamber means acting on one side thereof arranged to seat against line pressure in said space acting on the opposite side thereof; a sensitive, pressure-responsive device subject to the differential pressure on the opposite sides of the check valve at the supply end of said unit; and a pilot valve including a ported element actuatable by said pressure-responsive device in response to changes in said differential pressure for controlling the admission oi operating Yiluid into, and the 4exhaust of operating fluid from, said pressure chamber means of said bleeder valve, said pilot valve being arranged to exhaust operating fluid quickly from sai-d pressure chamber means, asa result -of the pressure of the fluid in said space acting on said opposite side 'of said valve element, to effect quick opening `of said bleeder valve when the pressure in said lfluid space between said check valves is greater than the pressure 'in the inlet chamber of said check valve at the supply end of said unit, and to relatively gradually admit operating fluid into said pressure chamber means to act Yon said one vside rof said valve element to eifect relatively gradual positive closing of said bleeder `valve against line pressure to permit flushing of said fluid space and said bleeder valve prior to complete-closing or" `said bleeder valve when the sta-ted pressure conditions are reversed.

a. A back-'flow prevent-ion unit, comprising-z two vautomatic check valves, each `having an inlet andan outletl and being arranged to close automatically Whenever the pressure in their respective outlets exceeds that in their respective 'inlets; a conduit interconnecting `the outlet lend of `one of said `check lvalves with vthe `inlet end `of the other `of said Vcheck valves; a fluid pressure operated 4bleeder valve connected with said conduit for effecting draining thereof, said bleeder valve 'having pressure chamber means for operating uid 'and including an element, roperable "by said operating fluid, 'arranged to `seat 'under the influence `of 'said operating riuid against line pressure and 4to be biased to -open position by pressure Cin :said conduit lin Vthe absence oi said operating fluid pressure; and means including a sensitive,:pressure-responsive device and a `ported pilot valve actuated vthereby .in :accordance with .the pressure y:difierential across said lconduit :and the jinlet of said .one check valve 'for controlling the admission of operating .uid into, and the exhaust of operating fluid from, said pressure chamber means of said 1oleeder valve, said pilot valve being arranged to exhaust operating luid rapidly from said pressure chamber means to allow quick opening oi said bleeder valve when the pressure in the conduit between said check valves is greater than the pressure in the inlet of said one check valve and relatively gradually admit operating fluid into said pressure chamber means to eiiect relatively gradual closing of said bleeder valve against line pressure to permit flushing of said bleeder valve by ow of Water therethrough under line pressure prior to complete closing of said bleeder valve when the stated pressure conditions are reversed.

5. A back-flow prevention unit, having a supply end and a service end, comprising: a pressure-responsive vacuum breaker adjacent the supply end o1" said unit having an inlet normally subject to line pressure and an outlet communicating with the atmosphere, said vacuum breaker being arranged to close automatically when the pressure in said inlet exceeds atmospheric pressure and to open automatically when the pressure in said inlet is less than atmospheric pressure; a first check valve having an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet end thereof communicating with the inlet end orn said vacuum breaker; a second check valve arranged in series relation with said rst check valve; means between said check valves providing a space for huid; a fluid pressure operable bleeder valve having an inlet communicating with said uid space and having an outlet communicating with the atmosphere, said bleeder valve having pressure chamber means for operating fluid and including an element actuatable toward seating position by Voperating fluid under pressure in said pressure chamber means, said element being movable to open position by the pressure of iluid in said space; a pilot valve having a ported element arranged to control the exhaust of operating huid from, and the admission of operating Iuuid into, said pressure chamber means of said 'bleed-er valve to allow opening and to eiect closing, respectively, of said bleeder valve; and sensitive, pressure-responsive means having chambers respectively subject to .the pressure at the supply end of said unit and the pressure 'in said fluid space and lincluding an element between said chambers connected with said ported pilot element 1for actuating said `pilot valve `to control the opening and closing of said bleeder valve in accordance with variations in the pressure difierential across said first check valve, whereby when a vacuum condition occurs at the supply end of said unit, said vacuum ybreaker will automatically open and vent the supply end of said uni-t to the atmosphere and thereby prevent back-siphoning through said unit and also increase vthe pressure in one chamber' oi said pressure-responsive means to that of the atmosphere through said vacuum breaker, thereby effecting actuation of said pilot valve then vbeing actuatable by ysaid pressure-responsive means in response to a predetermined pressure in said V-iluid space in excess of atmospheric `'pressure to `exhaust operating fluid from said vpressure chamber means of .said bleeder valve vto allow opening of said Ibleeder valve tothe atmosphere subsequent yto the time that said vacuum breaker is opened, said pressure-responsive vacuum rbreaker and pressureoperated bleeder valve remaining `open to lbesuccessively flushed by line flow rand to -be Aclosed automatically after the atmosphericair admitted 17 into said unit has been displaced therefrom by said line flow anda hydraulic pressure in excess of atmospheric air pressure has been restored in said inlet of said vacuum breaker and in said chamber of said pressure-responsive device subject to the pressure at the supply end of said unit.

6. A back-flow prevention unit having a supply end and a service end, comprising: two automatic check valves; means between said check valves providing a space for liquid, said check valves being arranged in series to normally allow flow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end; a bleeder Valve communicating with said space for draining liquid from said space; an automatic vacuum breaker valve communicating with the inlet side of the check valve at the supply end of said unit adapted to vent said supply end of said unit to the atmosphere when a vacuum. condition occurs in use at said supply end of said unit; and meansresponsive in its action to the opening of said automatic vacuum breaker valve and the venting of the supply end of said unit to the atmosphere arranged to eiect opening of said bleeder valve when the pressure in said space exceeds atmospheric pressure by a predetermined amount, whereby to prevent back-siphoning of liquid through said unit.

7. A back-ow prevention unit having a supply end and a service end, comprising: two automatic check valves; means between said check valves providing a space through which liquid can flow from one check valve tothe other, said check valves being arranged in series to normally allow flow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end; a bleeder valve having an inlet communicating with said space for effecting the draining of liquid therefrom; pressure-responsive means for controlling the opening and closing of said bleeder valve, said pressure-responsive means including a diaphragm, one side of which is subject to the pressure in said space, and the other side of which is subject to the pressure at the inlet side of the check valve at the supply end of said unit, said pressure-responsive means being arranged to maintain said bleeder valve closed so long as the latter pressure exceeds the pressure in said space by a predetermined amount; and a vacuum breaker valve communicatingv with said unit at the inlet side-ofV said last-mentioned check valve adapted to be maintained closed by line pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure and to automatically open under atmospheric pressure when a vacuum condition occurs in use to thereby vent the inlet side of said check valve and said other side of said diaphragm to the atmospherelthrough said vacuum breakervvalve, whereby to allow opening of said bleeder valve when the supply end of said unit has been vented to atmosphere and the pressure in said space exceeds atmospheric pressure by said predetermined amount. l

8. A back-flow prevention unit having a supply end and a service end, comprising: two automatic check valves; means between said check valves providing a space through which liquid can flow from one check valve to the other, said check valves being arranged in series to normally allow flow only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end; a bleeder valve having an inlet communicating with said space for efiecting the draining of liquid therefrom; pressure-responsive means for controlling the opening and closing of said'bleeder valve, said pressure-responsive means including a diaphragm,

one side of which is subject to the pressure in said space, and the other side of which is subject to the pressure at the inlet side of the check valve at the supply end ofsaid unit, means on said other side of said diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing lthereof to prevent the opening of said bleeder valve until a predetermined preponderance of pressure exists on said one side of said diaphragm; a vacuum breaker valve communieating with said unit at the inlet side of said last-mentioned check valve adapted to open, when a vacuum condition occurs in use, to vent the inlet side of said check valve and said other side of said diaphragm t0. the atmosphere.

9. A 'back-flow prevention unit having a supply end and a'service end, comprising two automatic cheek valves; a conduit I interconnecting said check valves, said check valves being arranged in series to normally allow now only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end a fluid pressure operated bleeder valve connected with said conduit for ,effecting the draining of liquid therefrom, said bleeder valve normally being held closed by fluid under pressure and being biased to open position by pressurein said conduit in the absence of said closing pressure; a pilot valve controlling the supply of operating fluid to andthe exhaust of operating fluid from said bleeder valve; means for actuating said pilot valve, said means being pressure-responsive and connected with said unit so that it is operated. by the differential pressure across the automatic check valve at the supply end of said unit; land means yieldably opposing actuation of said lastmentioned means and delaying opening of said bleeder valve until'the difference in pressures is a given predetermined amount.

10. A back-flow prevention unit having a supply end and a service end, comprising: two automatic check valves; means providing a space for liquid between said check valves, said cheek valves being arranged in series to normally allow nowV only in a direction from said supply end toward said service end; a uid pressure operated bleeder valve communicating with said space to eifect the draining of liquid therefrom, said bleeder valve having a chamber for operating fluid under pressure and normally being maintained closed by the pressure of said uid; a pressure-responsive device connected with said unit so that it is subject to the differential pressure on the inlet and outlet sides of the check valve at the supply end of said unit; a normally closedv automatic vacuum breaker valve communicating with the inlet side of the check valve at the supply end of said unit operable `to vent the supplyend of said unit and one side of said pressure-responsive device to the atmosphere when a vacuum condition occurs in use at the inlet side of A'said last-mentionedcheck valve; and a pilot valve connected with said pressure chamber of said bleeder valve for controlling said bleeder valve, said pilot valve being actuatable by said pressure-responsive device to exhaust the operating fluid from said pressure chamber of said bleeder valve to allow opening of said bleeder valve upon opening of said vacuum breaker valve and when said one side of said pressure-responsive device is vented to the atmosphere and the pressure on the other side of said device exceeds atmospheric pressure by a predetermined amcunt, whereby to prevent backsiphoning through said unit.

1l. A back-now prevention unit as dened in claim 10 in which the pressure-responsive device includes means yieldably opposing actuation 19 of said pilot valve until the pressure of the liquid in the space vbetweenthe check valves is-a given amount above that at the inlet sideof the check valve at the supply end of the unit.

Vl2. In two interconnected conduits for uid, means for blocking a contaminating blackflow of iiuidfromone conduit to the other vcomprising a valve for controlling ow between said conduits, means for automatically closing said flow-controlling valve when conditions promotive of contaminating backflow occur, means cooperating with said now-controlling valve and a portion of the conduit downstream thereof providing a confined space inthe line of iiow through the conduits, a drain having a drain valve connected to said space, operating means `including hydraulically controlled means for opening said drain valve, when said conditions effecting a `closing of said flow-controlling valve occur, .to establish an air gap in said space, and reclosing said drain valve when said flow-controlling valve reopens, said operating means including means to retard the reclosing of said drainvalve, whereby to provide a flushing of the conduit portion in which said air gap exists before normal flow is reestablished between said conduits.

13. In two interconnected conduits for iluid, means for blocking a contaminating backow of fluid from one conduit to the Aother comprising a valve for controlling flowbetween said conduits, means for automatically closing said flow-controlling valve when conditions Apromotive of said contaminating backflow occur, means cooperating with said now-controlling valve and a portion of the conduit downstream thereof providing a confined space inthe line of flow through the conduits, a drain having a drain -valve connected to said space, means for opening said drainvalve, when said conditions effecting a closing of said flow-controlling Valve occur, to establish an air gap in said confined space, Yand reclosing said drain valve when said flow-controlling valve reopens, said last mentioned means including means to retard its opera-tion in reclosing said drain valve whereby'toprovide a flushing of the conduit portion in Vwhich said air gap exists before normal flow is re-established `between said conduits.

14. In two interconnected conduits for fluid,

means for blocking a contaminatingr backflow of f uid from one conduit to the other comprising two flow-controlling valves arranged in succession in the conduit in which contaminating backilow is to be blocked, means `for automatically closing said valves when conditions-promotive of a contaminating backow occur and thereby provide a confined space inthe conduit 'portion between saidow-controlling valves, a vent and a vent valve communicating with said space -for establishing lan air gap in such space when said conditions effecting a closing of said flow-controlling valves occur, operating means including hydraulically controlled means for opening said vent valve when the upstream flow-controlling valve closes and reclosing said vent Valve when said upstream flow-controlling valve reopens, said operating means including means foi retarding the reclosing of said Vent valve, whereby to pro vide a flushing of the conduit portion in which said air gap exists before normal ilow is reestablished between said conduits.

15. In two interconnected conduits for fluid, means for blocking a contaminating backiiow of fluid from one conduit to the other comprising two flow-controlling valves arranged in succession in the conduit in which contaminating backflow is to be blocked, means for automatically closing said valves when conditions -promotive of a contaminating backflow occur and thereby provide a confined space in the conduit portion between said flow-controlling valves, a vent and a vent valve communicating with said space for establishing an air gap in such space when said conditions effecting a closing of said flow-controlling valves occur, means for opening said vent valve when the upstream flow-controlling Valve closes, and reclosing said vent valve when said upstream now-controlling valve reopens, said last mentioned means including means to retard its operation in reclosing said vent valve whereby to provide a flushing of said conduit portion in which said air gap exists before normal flow is re-established between said conduits.

DONALD G. GRISW'OLD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 926,968 Stickdorn July 6, 1909 1,105,991 Miller Aug. 4, 1914 1,156,447 Underwood Oct. 12, 191:3 1,606,245 Lang Nov. 9, 1926 `1,755,993 Kelley Apr. 22, 1930 2,146,204 Dore Feb. 7, 1939 2,292,871 Dunn ,Aug. 11, 1942 2,310,586 Lohman Feb. 9, 1943 2,328,118 Ahlport Aug. 31, 1943 2,366,144 ,Griswold Dec. 26, 1944 2,372,940 Ellis Apr. 3, 1945 2,377,227 Griswold May 29, 1945 L2,389,413 Carlton Nov. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 256,920 Italy 1928 

